Happy Friday Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds all you all having a great day and that you have been enjoying a wonderful weekend with your families and friends!
I know I am getting this out on Sunday. I got my rear end kicked by my schedule for the last 3 days and I truly have not had the opportunity to sit down and type this out until now. Though it is a few days later than normal I still wanted to take the time to share the sermon that was preached to me by the example set by a man that works at my oldest sons school.
Last Friday (9/6/13) my oldest son had a home football game. The whole Haslam crew - plus Grandpa & Uncle Phil - were out in full force to support our team. My 13-year old and my 8-year old went down to play catch with some other boys in one of the end zones...you know, the boys dreaming of making plays like the big boys on the game field.
At the end of halftime one of the Dads whose son was also playing catch came to me and told me about a completely inappropriate comment directed at our boys by a staff member at the school. It was funny; logically it registered that the comment was wrong however my spirit was completely calm, at peace. In that moment I became very aware of the "Happy Friday" I had written the night before...specifically it became perfectly clear to me that God was leading me. While I felt compelled to speak with the staff member I did not feel anger, rage, want to yell at the staff member, etc. Basically what I am telling you is I found myself acting completely different than how I know I would react if it was me leading by my strength, my courage, my knowledge and my wisdom. I thanked the Lord for being the Lord of my life and I prayed that he would continue to lead me as I spoke with this staff member about what he said. I then waited to what I thought would be an appropriate time to speak with the staff member.
Shortly after halftime I went to the staff member. As I approached him I took off my hat, introduced myself and extended my hand to shake his. At first he was impatient sounding, gave me his first name but not his last until I asked...everything about him made it clear that he did not want to be speaking with me. I then explained who I was - the father of two of the boys who were playing in the end zone - and stated that I was concerned about the statement I was told he made. Immediately everything changed. Our eyes were locked on each other and a tenderness immediately filled his. It was like looking out the window at a horrible storm and immediately seeing the day transform to a perfectly tranquil day...that was the view as I peered through his eyes into his soul. He didn't make excuse, shift blame, etc. He looked me dead in the eye and said, "yes, I did say that and I am so sorry." He acknowledged that what he said was wrong, he apologized for it and he offered to apologize directly to the boys. There was really nothing else that needed to be said.
A few thoughts:
1. What he actually said is irrelevant as far as I am concerned and that is why I did not share it here. We all say things we shouldn't have said, wish we hadn't said, etc. Who am I, sadly the owner of countless words I wish I had never spoken, to try to make this into a big huge thing because he said something he shouldn't have said?
2. The accountability, humility & true repentance offered by this man was a powerful, powerful testimony to me. I pray that every time I error I am as quick to own my mistakes and in a true spirit of humility offer a heartfelt apology. THAT is the testimony I want for my life.
3. I am mindful of the number of times I hear or read about administrators, teachers, coaches, etc. getting fired for poorly spoken words, words spoken in frustration, anger, perhaps fatigue. You know what I feel about this man? I am so thankful that he is on staff at my sons school. I don't want "perfect" administrators, teachers, coaches and staff working with my sons. These people don't exist. I want real people, people who are there because they genuinely love kids, because they want to help these kids become the best they are capable of becoming, because they want to help these kids discover the greatness that is within them. And I want people working with my kids who know they are not perfect and won't pretend to be so, who will own the mistake when they make it, who will offer a heartfelt apology which will lead to changed behavior the next...yes, that is who I want teaching my kids. Why? Because these people are influencing my sons' lives every single day! If my sons learned nothing more than honest accountability, humility and repentance at their schools, I will be forever indebted as they will have helped my Beautiful Bride and I raise great men.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your families. I will always be willing to help you any way I can.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend Friends and please cherish those precious families.
Kev
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